HOSPITAL VISITING

All hospital visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask. For more information about visiting: Visitors and family. See our COVID-19 page for general COVID-19 advice, detailed hospital visiting guidelines and COVID-19 tests.

See West Coast COVID-19 vaccination clinics for info on vaccinations link COVID-19 Vaccination • West Coast • Healthpoint

Last updated:
16 September 2022

Fewer visitor restrictions now apply

For visitors to all facilities (effective from and last updated on 16 September 2022)

Some visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast health facilities remain in place, but we have relaxed others.

There is still a heightened risk to vulnerable people in hospital and so people must continue to wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities and follow other advice designed to keep patients, staff and other visitors safe.

Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is to keep everybody safe:

  • Visitors or support people must not visit our facilities if they are unwell. Do not visit if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t completed your isolation period.
  • Patients in single rooms may have more than one visitor while patients in multi-bed rooms can have one visitor only per patient to ensure there is no overcrowding.
  • People can have one or two support people to accompany them to outpatients appointments.
  • Women in labour in a birthing suite, in Te Nīkau Hospital’s Maternity Ward and in Buller’s Kawatiri Maternity Unit can have the usual support people, subject to space, for the duration of their stay in our facilities.
  • Eating or drinking at the bedside is at the discretion of the Clinical Nurse Manager. Visitors must not eat or drink in multibed rooms because of the increased risk when multiple people remove their mask in the same space.
  • Hand sanitiser is available and must be used.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Mask wearing

  • Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all sites, except in counselling, mental health and addiction services where it’s on a case-by-case agreement with patients. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one. In higher-risk environments, people, including young children, may not be able to visit if they cannot wear a mask.
  • Any member of the public with a mask exemption is welcome in all our facilities when attending to receive health care and *treatment. Please show your mask exemption card and appointment letter to staff at the entrance. *Treatment includes coming into the Emergency Department, outpatient appointments, surgery or a procedure.

Visiting patients with COVID-19

  • People are able to visit patients who have COVID-19 but they must wear an N95 mask – this will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • Other methods of communication will be facilitated e.g. phone, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp etc where visits aren’t possible.

You must NOT visit our facilities if you

  • are COVID-19 positive
  • are unwell. Please stay home if you have a tummy bug or cold or flu/COVID-19-like symptoms (even if you’ve tested negative for COVID-19).

Te Whatu Ora West Coast Aged Residential Care facilities

Visitors are welcome at our Aged Care Residential facilities, subject to the space available. All visitors must wear a surgical mask.

More COVID-19 information

Health events in your life

ACC is there to help. Find out how

ACC's National Serious Injury Service specialises in helping people to return to their everyday lives after serious... read more about ACC is there to help. Find out how»

Depression: You don’t have to tough it out

Depression and anxiety can happen to anybody, but men are less likely to reach out for help. Healthinfo has a... read more about Depression: You don’t have to tough it out»

Do I need braces? And other questions for teenage teeth

Find out more information from Healthy Smiles about crooked teeth, tooth whitening, tongue piercings, smoking,... read more about Do I need braces? And other questions for teenage teeth»

Eight of the most common ways kids get injured

Childhood injuries are common. Thankfully most of these are minor. But every year in New Zealand children are badly... read more about Eight of the most common ways kids get injured»

Get help paying for residential care: Here’s how

People who require long-term supported accommodation due to an illness or a disability may be entitled to a subsidy.... read more about Get help paying for residential care: Here’s how»

Getting funding for disability and injury equipment

Here you will find information about what help you may be eligible for, where to look for equipment and how to choose... read more about Getting funding for disability and injury equipment»

Help for children whose parents have a mental illness or addiction

There are people and organisations that can help you. If you, or a child you know, needs help to cope with a family... read more about Help for children whose parents have a mental illness or addiction»

How ACC can help you: Transport

ACC can help you (and in some cases your whānau) with your transport needs that are a direct result of your injury.... read more about How ACC can help you: Transport»

How to get back into the community after an illness or injury

It is important to get back into activities with other people after an illness, injury, or surgery – but it can seem... read more about How to get back into the community after an illness or injury»

How to minimise the frustration of memory loss.

Mild memory loss is very common as people get older. These strategies can help you make changes to you environment and... read more about How to minimise the frustration of memory loss.»

How to talk to your kids about puberty

It's important to talk to your children about puberty. Try to start talking to them before signs of puberty develop so... read more about How to talk to your kids about puberty»

Immunisations: Get them now, get them free

Immunisation is the best way to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases. Find out about the free... read more about Immunisations: Get them now, get them free»

Is immunisation safe for children?

The evidence is clear: Immunisation is safe, and protects your child from some serious diseases and helps to stop those... read more about Is immunisation safe for children?»

It’s time to go home from hospital. What now?

ACC has information about planning for your hospital discharge, getting financial assistance and special equipment,... read more about It’s time to go home from hospital. What now?»

Learn about palliative care options for you or your loved ones

Palliative care is care for a person of any age who has a life-limiting illness. The Ministry of Health has information... read more about Learn about palliative care options for you or your loved ones»

Living with disabilities: our stories

Two people with disabilities, Rodney and Ross, share their stories with ACC about having someone help with personal... read more about Living with disabilities: our stories»

Māori and Pasifika health

Māori and Pasifika health on HealthInfo site. Please note: There's a comprehensive section of related information re... read more about Māori and Pasifika health»

Tags

My child has a serious allergy. What can I do?

Serious allergies can threaten your child’s life. You can help prepare by informing yourself about the risks and... read more about My child has a serious allergy. What can I do?»

Older people can get depressed too. Find out how to manage it

Depression is not a normal part of ageing and it is not a character weakness. It is a medical illness for which there... read more about Older people can get depressed too. Find out how to manage it»

Older persons’ health

Find support to stay healthy and live comfortably The Ministry of Health and district health boards fund several... read more about Older persons’ health»

Tags

Persistent and chronic pain: What to do

Persistent pain is pain that continues past the time you were expected to recover from an injury or illness. It is also... read more about Persistent and chronic pain: What to do»

Real stories: Rebuilding after an injury

Three people – Simone, Tracey, and Ross – talk to ACC about rebuilding their lives, working, and driving after... read more about Real stories: Rebuilding after an injury»

Rest homes & Retirement villages: make an informed choice

If you or a family member is thinking about going into a rest home or hospital care, read this important information... read more about Rest homes & Retirement villages: make an informed choice»

Serious injuries and disabilities

This ACC website provides information and help for people affected by injury-related disabilities. It includes common... read more about Serious injuries and disabilities»

So you want to be a caregiver…

Providing personal care to someone can make a huge difference in their life. It is also a big responsibility for you.... read more about So you want to be a caregiver…»

Support and services for older people on the West Coast

See Healthinfo West Coast to find out about local community groups, short-term rehabilitation in the home, nursing... read more about Support and services for older people on the West Coast»

The most important health services for you and your child

You and your child will need lots of help and support in the first few years. Find out about health services for your... read more about The most important health services for you and your child»

These services are here to help with your pregnancy

From finding out if you're pregnant, right through until the maternity services after the birth, there are people to... read more about These services are here to help with your pregnancy»

What do you want to achieve? A guide to setting rehabilitation goals

People who set goals generally do better in their rehabilitation than people who don't set goals. This guide will help... read more about What do you want to achieve? A guide to setting rehabilitation goals»

What to do when your child is being bullied

Bullying happens in all age groups. If your child is being bullied, or has been accused of bullying other children,... read more about What to do when your child is being bullied»

You can choose how you want to be treated at the end of your life. Here’s how

We all have individual ideas and beliefs about how we want to be treated at the end of our life. Talking about what you... read more about You can choose how you want to be treated at the end of your life. Here’s how»

Showing 1-31 of 31 results, page 1 of 1.

Page last updated: 22 July 2021

Is this page useful?